Thursday, July 1, 2021
Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:
Giving with no strings attached is true giving.
The disease of addiction is reflected in myriad ways. As we’ve learned, the entire family is affected. We have sought recovery because our behavior causes us problems too. Getting well might be even more difficult for us than for alcoholics or other addicts. Their first step is to give up alcohol or other drugs; ours is to stop most of the behaviors we’ve perfected over the years, behaviors we developed to control and manipulate others.
Giving is one such behavior. Of itself, giving is a very worthy characteristic. However, most of us have used giving as a not so subtle way to control. Too often it worked, at least in the short run, and giving became a tool to get what we wanted. Recovery can help us practice true giving. We might not get from others what we’d like, but we will feel rewarded just the same. Giving up manipulation gives us back our self-worth.
I will check my motives before giving anything today. If I hope to get something in return, I’ll begin again.
Hazelden Foundation
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